The original and primary
purpose of The Austrian Encounter (TAE) was and is to foster honest,
revealing, thoughtful, ethical, intellectual, emotional and constructive encounters
between descendants of victims of the Austrian component of the Holocaust
(who are/were primarily but not exclusively Jewish,
Roma or Sinti) and descendants of Austrian Nazi perpetrators and/or
their collaborators who perpetrated in Austria (who are/were especially but
not exclusively German and Austrian); "constructive" is meant importantly
both interpersonally and internationally, and, as the dialogue(s) progress(es), often in the senses of a) providing
leadership and coordination in this area, b) mollifying tensions and diminishing
prejudices by deeply enhancing tolerance and understanding, and c) forging
bridges and avenues of communication between individuals and groups with parallel, ethical intentions.

Summary History
of Meetings

The Austrian Encounter
(TAE) originally met in Vienna in June 1995 as a group of ~ thirteen people
whose parents related primarily to Austria: sons and daughters of Holocaust
victims (from the U.S.), and daughters and sons of Nazi perpetrators (from
Austria and Germany). It was founded by Samson
Munn, who facilitated for many years. The group has met many more times since 1995, mostly
in Vienna but also in the Boston area (July 2000). TAE meets intensively
and privately. TAE participants have been the subjects of positive newspaper
articles, have written articles and chapters in books about such work,
and have spoken publicly at open meetings in Berlin, in Boston, in Vienna
and elsewhere.

Summary Financial
Information

The Austrian Encounter
may be financially supported by donation. A donation made to TRT
would be gratefully received; donations are not tax-deductible. To make a donation, please contact either of the individuals listed below in the Contact section of this web page.

"Nach"
is a German word which (in different constructions) can mean "to",
"toward" and "after." Since we in The Austrian Encounter
address what and whom we came after, and what we look to and are striving toward,
it is fitting that our address be: